BUILDING work has now begun at the Carlton Hotel as mobile phone tycoon Mike McComb plans to spend millions developing the landmark building.

Mr McComb has told the Visiter that he plans to spend £2m on transforming the five storey, yellow brick, century old structure.

The Formby-based businessman said: “It will be luxury apartments and a high class restaurant and cocktail bar.

“The budget spend is £2m and I am negotiating with a high profile prospective tenant for the restaurant and bar operation.”

Mr McComb added that he was currently speaking to an operator with a ‘vision to raise the current food and drink offer in Southport.’

The once grand landmark had fallen into disrepair in recent years with broken windows, cracked flags and vegetation sprouting from the brickwork.

The plan for the lower ground floor is to rip out the red brick boxed beneath the metal veranda to reveal the original bay windows. The veranda will then be supported by steel pillars.

The jewel in the crown of the development is an exclusive glass-box penthouse with its own private roof terrace, providing stunning views of Southport and the north Sefton coast.

The Carlton is located within the Lord Street conservation area, which means that the development must be sympathetic to the character of the surrounding area.

Southport historian Geoff Wright spoke to the Visiter about the site’s background.

He said: “The original building, named Carlton Mansions, was erected in 1901 and incorporated both the Old Waverley Temperance Hotel and Wheldon’s Residential Hotel.

“Lathom millionaire John Craig bought the building in 1924, and changed its name to the Carlton Hotel.

“In 1977 the hotel became Rummie Bar after the success of Birkdale’s steeplechaser Red Rum. Basil Law and Mrs Irene Griffiths bought the hotel in the 1980s , although the site later fell into decline, until Mr McComb won planning permission.”